Alzheimer’s Foundation of America

Alzheimer's
Foundation of America

The Apartment-A Guide to Creating a Dementia-Friendly Home

Dementia-related illnesses impact the mind and affect virtually every aspect of a person’s life, including making many facets of daily living more difficult. Most residences are not built with the needs of an individual living with Alzheimer’s disease or other dementia-related illnesses in mind. However, almost every part of a residence can impact quality of life for someone living with a dementia-related illness and their family care partners. Even seemingly-cosmetic choices, such as wall colors, furniture patterns, and dishware, make a difference.

AFA created The Apartment—a model studio residence built in AFA’s New York City headquarters—to showcase ways that practical design and technology can greatly increase the quality of life for someone living with dementia and help family care partners protect their loved ones’ safety. Rosemary Bakker, President of Age-Friendly Design, was the lead designer who worked with AFA to design The Apartment.

Take a virtual video tour of The Apartment

A room-by-room online/print guide available

A complete, room-by-room guide outlining different features and products in The AFA Apartment, and explaining different tools you can use to make a home safer and more comfortable for someone living with a dementia-related illness, can be viewed and downloaded by clicking below. Hard copies can be requested by clicking here.

Check out The Apartment in the news (click logos to view the stories)!

Click here to view additional caregiving tips and resources.